Greater New Orleans

Gulf Shores and the Alabama beaches vacation guide 2012

It takes about 3-1/2 hours to drive the almost 200 miles from New
Orleans to the high-rise, beachfront condos of Gulf Shores. Its beach flows into Orange Beach, which stretches to the Florida state line. The
road to Fort Morgan, just northwest of the main Gulf Shores beach road,
consists of houses on pilings and several self-contained resorts, with
the Civil War-era Fort Morgan and the ferry to Dauphin Island at the
end.

For a different vacation experience, consider Fairhope and
Point Clear. Three hours from New Orleans, Fairhope is an
oak-tree-shaded haven for writers and artists, known for its bed and
breakfasts, restaurants and small shops; and Point Clear is home of the
Grand Hotel Marriott Resort, Golf Club and Spa, which New Orleanians
call The Grand Hotel. Fairhope and the Grand Hotel face Mobile Bay
rather than the Gulf of Mexico.

What's going on: Historical
vignettes based on real events are the feature of Twilight Tours of
Fort Morgan Historic Site each Tuesday evening through June and July.

A
cannon salute, oral histories and blacksmith demonstrations are planned
for Aug. 4, the Battle of Mobile Bay Commemorative Day at Fort Gaines.

The July Fourth Gulf Shores Fireworks Extravaganza is extended to July 6, when there will be fireworks at Perdido Beach Resort.

Former Beatle Ringo Starr performs July 4 at The Wharf in Orange Beach
(800.745.3000), followed by Miranda Lambert, July 12; Dukes of
September, July 21; Kelly Clarkson and The Fray, Aug. 6; Jason Mraz,
Aug. 17; and Lynyrd Skynyrd, Aug. 25.

What's new: Everybody's favorite honky-tonk, The Flora-Bama
(251.980.5118, completed renovations in early 2012. Don't worry: The
expanded second floor, with new music stages, bars and bathroom, isn't
too fancy; its original bricks and lumber were used in the redo. The
roadhouse supposedly straddles the Alabama/Florida state line (word is
it's really a couple of feet on the Florida side).

Perdido Beach Resort
(800.634.8001), a 346-room beachfront hotel in Orange Beach, completed a
multimillion dollar renovation of its 211 guest rooms. A July 4th
celebration includes a Southern barbecue and fireworks.

The area
welcomed several new restaurants, such as Di Pomodoro and Joey's North
Shore Grill, both in Gulf Shores; and Rotolo's Pizzeria and Compleat
Angler Seafood Grille and Bar, both in Orange Beach.

Marriott's Grand Hotel was named by Tennis Magazine as one of the top 50 tennis resorts in the United States.